You Have Been Defended - Chapter 110
Go Jin-ah's lengthy first-trial proceedings had finally concluded. On the sentencing day, she received a prison term. Of course, she declared her intent to appeal, insisting she couldn't accept it.
But that wasn't something we needed to worry about anymore. She'd already paid Jeong Yeong-jun the full 47 billion won over the past few months, and I'd received my fee from him. In short, the case was off my hands.
Jeong Yeong-jun said he planned to pretend the whole thing never happened and move on. He had zero interest in her future life. To that end, he was emigrating overseas with his family. Just like before marriage, he intended to run a small food business there.
The surprising part was that Im Hyeong-o was tagging along on the emigration. They planned to revive their old days running Viva Pasta together. Kang Minjae had set up a meeting to clear up the misunderstanding after the case wrapped, but no one expected them to hit it off so quickly.
When Im Hyeong-o had visited Jeong Yeong-jun's company and been turned away, it was because Go Jin-ah despised his old contacts showing up and had ordered all visitors blocked. So the misunderstanding cleared up fast—no surprise there.
I thought Jeong Yeong-jun had made a wise choice. His life was rebuilding at a rapid pace. Scars would linger, but in his new home, no one would dig into his unjust past.
And then.
"Right, Lawyer Cha. I had something to tell you."
A call came in from Lee Ye-jin, who finally had some free time after the first trial ended.
"Go ahead."
I'd put her on speaker since she wouldn't hang up after over an hour, and I was reading the newspaper. So I brushed off her "I have something to say" without much thought.
"Wanna meet a girl?"
Her sudden question nearly made me spit out my coffee.
"Pardon? What's this out of the blue?"
At thirty-five, it wasn't odd for people around me to ask about marriage or dating. My parents did it too. But Lee Ye-jin?
"No, my husband says he has this friend who'd be perfect for you. She's in the industry."
"Not interested."
"Aw, why not! I saw her photo—she's super pretty. And killer at her job. One year younger than you. She missed her chance working too hard, just like you."
Just then, a voice flashed through my mind—identical to the one I'd heard, but worn and aged.
I glanced at the calendar. September 20, 2009.
In my previous life, I'd married a bit late—winter at thirty-six, to a woman I'd dated for a year. She was a lawyer at Jangyoung Firm, introduced by Lee Ye-jin.
"What's her name, by chance?"
"What, what? Interested now?"
"Just wondering if I might know her."
"Doesn't seem like she knows you? Training institute times didn't overlap. Jo Ayoung."
I let out a small chuckle. My ex-wife.
Of course, our ending hadn't been good at all. Our marriage had broken down a year before the divorce; we'd lived like strangers. She already had someone else. She disapproved of my work, couldn't understand my unrelenting revenge. Our divorce was swift and clean—both lawyers, so it stayed within norms. Though I had to ignore her affair for that.
"So, you in or out? Huh?"
Her voice snapped me from my reverie. I stepped onto the balcony, lit a cigarette, and replied.
"Set a time and date, let me know."
"Oh, yeah! That's the spirit. Got it. I'll talk to my husband and set it up. Any dates to avoid?"
"None."
"So proactive! Love that attitude! Time for you to get married, Lawyer Cha! Your place is perfect too—just needs a woman to fill it."
Excited on her own, the suddenly hyped Lee Ye-jin dropped a few hints about her I already knew before hanging up.
A few days later.
"Lawyer, Taesik says drinks tonight. You in?"
As six approached, Kang Minjae fiddled with his phone and asked.
"Can't tonight."
"No plans, right? Come on. Gukjeongwon guy's coming too."
Kang Minjae mimed downing soju shots. It was true I rarely made personal plans. But assuming I had none just because I said I was busy?
"Really can't."
"What plans?"
I shook my head, and he approached my desk, picking up the calendar.
"Huh, circle on today? Wait... meeting a woman?"
I didn't answer, and he shouted with wide eyes.
"Seriously? Blind date?!"
"None of your business."
"Why not? It's your blind date! If it goes well, hook me up too. Got it?"
For the next hour, he rambled about why it was absurd I'd been single this long. TV appearances should've gotten bites; loaded top groom material. Mostly nonsense.
Now an expert at tuning him out, I treated his chatter as background noise while working.
"Fighting! Outfit's on point, hair too."
On the way out, as I reached my car, Kang Minjae passed by thumbs-upping.
"Just go."
"Don't be stiff around her. Be flexible. Humorous. Yeah?"
"Go."
I ignored him and shut the door.
The spot wasn't far. Jangyoung Firm was in Seocho-dong like our office, so naturally nearby.
The pre-booked restaurant already had people at 6:30, but it wasn't noisy—perfect for a blind date. Lee Ye-jin booked it; supposedly birthed countless lawyer couples.
Did I meet her here before? Memory fuzzy.
I sat at the assigned table. Still ten minutes early, I pulled out a book to kill time. Reception had my name; she'd be guided here.
After one chapter.
"Um, hello."
A familiar voice from above. I set the book down and stood.
"......"
She wore the crescent moon pendant necklace, just like our first meeting back then.
"Hello. Have a seat."
"Did I keep you waiting? I rushed."
"No, I arrived early."
After ordering, I looked at her. Younger than my last memory. Post-marriage, she'd stuck to bobs; now long hair past her shoulders.
"Saw you on the news, Lawyer. First TV? You were so natural."
"Was I?"
"Yes. Haha... You look even better in person."
She blushed faintly.
"...Thank you."
The conversation flowed without much awkwardness. Knowing her likes helped pick topics to make her smile.
Not flawless, though. Like on capital punishment—I recalled her opposing it, but surprisingly, she supported it. Other mismatches too.
Even if I'd neglected home life before, was it this bad? Suddenly understood why she said living with me was boring.
"Had a great time today, Juhan."
Leaving the second spot, a wine bar, she said. Nearly 11 p.m.
"Glad. Hope I didn't hold you too long—you're busy."
"No, really."
She glanced at the row of model taxis curbside.
"Wait for your ride together?"
"No, go ahead. I'll watch you leave."
She fidgeted her fingers, reluctant. I walked her to the front waiting taxi.
"Well, heading out."
Tucking stray hair, she bowed slightly.
As she grabbed the handle, I spoke.
"Ayoung."
"Yes?"
"I hope you're happy, Ayoung."
"......"
She turned, pausing to parse my words, eyes rolling thoughtfully.
"...So, no afters?"
Straightforward, when she could've brushed it off.
"You'd be unhappy with me."
"...Pardon?"
She tilted her head, baffled.
I smiled bitterly. We were too different. My sense of purpose had hardened even more than before, but she remained the same.
Thus, I didn't want to repeat the mistake. I hadn't realized then, but I had to admit: my ex was a burden, a stumbling block to me. And she was too good to be defined as someone's burden.
We didn't match; couldn't enhance each other's worth.
Why show up today? Petty revenge, perhaps. Even if the cause was mine, I'd been discarded. Wanted to end it on my terms this time.
"Don't know why you think that, but I get your point, Juhan."
"You'll meet someone great."
"You too. Well, heading out."
She got in, and the taxi pulled away. I watched its taillights vanish before turning.
Wrong fates must be ended.
And the connections I truly need? Plenty remain.